US Secretary of State John Kerry told congress that the window of opportunity for implementing the two state solution between Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority) will close within two years. The senior official told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that he feels the time will run out in the next 18-24 months.

In Israel, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told Kerry that he feels if PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) agrees to return to the negotiating table, a final status agreement may be achieved within a year. Netanyahu insists he has been waiting for PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) to agree to return to talks, without any preconditions.

Some officials in Israel view the statement made by Kerry as a clear message, that if the sides do not return to the negotiating table immediately, the Obama administration is likely to abandon its key role as go-between in talks between Israel and the PA. It also shows the new secretary feels the matter is quite urgent, and this will most likely lead to increased pressure for concessions by Israel towards wooing the PA back to the negotiating table.

Others posit if the White House opts to play down America’s role in the peace-making effort, it will cut aid to the PA significantly and this will further weaken Abu Mazen’s already precarious situation and open the door for a Hamas takeover of areas in Yehuda and Shomron.

Kerry is expected back in Israel in the coming week as he has announced he has made the diplomatic process between Israel and the PA a major priority for his office.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)